Two Penniless Princesses, Charlotte M. Yonge [the best novels to read txt] 📗

had now to avail himself of the protection of the King’s party as far as possible on the way to Paris, where he would place Malcolm at the University, and likewise meet his daughter’s bridegroom and his father.

Dame Lilias did not by any means like leaving her young cousins, so long her charge, without attendants of their own; but the Dauphiness gave them a tirewoman of her own, and undertook that Madame de Ste. Petronelle should attend them in case of need, as well as that she would endeavour to have Annis, when Madame de Terreforte, at her Court as long as they were there. They also had a squire as equerry, and George Douglas was bent on continuing in that capacity till his outfit from his father arrived, as it was sure to do sooner or later.

Margaret knew who he was, and promised Sir Patrick to do all in her power for him, as truly his patience and forbearance well deserved.

It was a very sorrowful parting between the two maidens and the Lady of Glenuskie, who for more than half a year had been as a mother to them, nay, more than their own mother had ever been; and bad done much to mitigate the sharp angles of their neglected girlhood by her influence. In a very few months more she would see James, and Mary, and the ‘weans’; and the three sisters loaded her with gifts, letters, and messages for all. Eleanor promised never to forget her counsel, and to strive not to let the bright new world drive away all those devout feelings and hopes that Mother Clare and King Henry had inspired, and that Lady Drummond had done her best to keep up.

Duke Sigismund had communicated to Sir Patrick his intention of making a formal request to King James for the hand of the Lady Eleanor. He was to find an envoy to make his proposal in due form, who would join Sir Patrick at Terreforte after the wedding was over, so as to go with the party to Scotland.

Meantime, with many fond embraces and tears, Lady Drummond took leave of her princesses, and they owned themselves to feel as if a protecting wall had been taken away in her and her husband.

‘It is folly, though, thus to speak,’ said Jean, ‘when we have our sister, and her husband, and his father, and all his Court to protect us.’

‘We ought to be happy,’ said Eleanor gravely. ‘Outside here at Nanci, it is all that my fancy ever shaped, and yet—and yet there is a strange sense of fear beyond.’

‘Oh, talk not that gate,’ cried Jean, ‘as thou wilt be having thy gruesome visions!’

‘No; it is not of that sort,’ returned Eleanor. ‘I trow not! It may be rather the feeling of the vanity of all this world’s show.’

‘Oh, for mercy’s sake, dinna let us have clavers of that sort, or we shall have thee in yon nunnery!’ exclaimed Jean. ‘See this girdle of Maggie’s, which she has given me. Must I not make another hole to draw it up enough for my waist?’

‘Jean herself was much disappointed when Margaret, with great regret, told her that the Dauphin had to go out of his way to visit some castles on his way to Chalons sur Marne, and that he could not encumber his hosts with so large a train as the presence of two royal ladies rendered needful. They were, therefore, to travel by another route, leading through towns where there were hostels. Madame de Ste. Petronelle was to go with them, and an escort of trusty Scots archers, and all would meet again in a fortnight’s time.

All sounded simple and easy, and Margaret repeated, ‘It will be a troop quite large enough to defend you from all ecorcheurs; indeed, they dare not come near our Scottish archers, whom Messire, my husband, has told off for your escort. And you will have your own squire,’ she added, looking at Jean.

‘That’s as he lists,’ said Jean scornfully.

‘Ah, Jeanie, Jeanie, thou mayst have to rue it if thou turn’st lightly from a leal heart.’

‘I’m not damsel-errant of romance, as thou and Elleen would fain be,’ said Jean.

‘Nay,’ said Margaret, ‘love is not mere romance. And oh, sister, credit me, a Scots lassie’s heart craves better food than crowns and coronets. Hard and unco’ cold be they, where there is no warmth to meet the yearning soul beneath, that would give all and ten times more for one glint of a loving eye, one word from a tender lip.’ Again she had one of those hysteric bursts of tears, but she laughed herself back, crying, ‘But what is the treason wifie saying of her gudeman—her Louis, that never yet said a rough word to his Meg?’

Then came another laugh, but she gathered herself up at a summons to come down and mount.

She was tenderly embraced by all, King Rene kissing her and calling her his dear niece and princess of minstrelsy, who should come to him at Toulouse and bestow the golden violet.

She rode away, looking back smiling and kissing her hand, but Eleanor’s eyes grew wide and her cheeks pale.

‘Jean,’ she murmured, low and hoarsely, ‘Margaret’s shroud is up to her throat.’

‘Hoots with thy clavers,’ exclaimed Jeanie in return. ‘I never let thee sing that fule song, but Meg’s fancies have brought the megrims into thine head! Thou and she are pair.’

‘That we shall be nae longer,’ sighed Eleanor. ‘I saw the shroud as clear as I see yon cross on the spire.’